§ Mr. Huntrose to put a question to a Member of Government, and he was sure that the public mind would be greatly relieved, by an answer from the proper authority. It had been stated, in a letter which bore the signature of a Magistrate of the county of Middlesex, that the persons who had been lately executed for the crime of burking, instead of confessing to having committed three or four murders only, had, on the day previous to their execution, confessed that the number amounted to sixty, and that they were going on in their narrative, when they were stopped by the Ordinary of Newgate. He might, perhaps, have expressed himself in a laughable manner upon this question, and judging from the conduct of some hon. Members, he was sure that must be the case, but he would say, that it was one which had very much agitated the public mind, and which was in itself very important. Not that he was at all disposed to believe the fact, because he saw it stated in a newspaper. But there were a great number of persons who did believe it on that account; and he wished that the hon. Under-Secretary of State would let the House know, whether the fact was as had been stated.
Mr. Lambwas not aware upon what authority the communication to which the hon. Gentleman alluded, had been put forth by the newspapers. The office to which he had the honour to belong, had heard of no confession made by those parties, beyond what had been already published.
Mr. Alderman Waithmansaid, that he had seen the criminals, and had communicated with the Sheriffs and the Under-Sheriffs on their case. He had observed the report in question, and, in consequence of it, applied to the Sheriffs, who assured 155 him, that the men had declared, in the most positive manner, over and over again, that they had told all they knew. He was, therefore, astonished when he saw the statement in the newspapers.
§ Mr. Huntwas sorry that, according to his view, the matter was still left in a state of considerable doubt. The hon. Undersecretary of State said, that he had heard of no other confession than that which was published. But the statement was, that on the night before the execution, another confession was made to a certain person of sixty murders, and which confession was going on, when it was stopped by the Ordinary of Newgate. Neither the hon. Under-Secretary nor the worthy Alderman stated, that he had had any communication with the Ordinary—and, although he believed the facts to be as they stated, still he thought their statement would not be satisfactory to the public, and he hoped the House would obtain further information.
Mr. Lambregretted that his answer had not been as satisfactory as he intended it should be. He had had no communication with the Ordinary of Newgate; but he would say, that all the confessions which the criminals made, had been published.
Mr. Alderman Waithmansaid, that he had had a communication with the Ordinary, and could say, that no other confession was made, than that which had been published.
§ Report of Supply brought up.